After six years, Zoe Ball has announced that she is stepping down from hosting the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show and her final episode will be next month.
Now, the DJ has revealed on social media that she’s been suffering with TMJ – temporomandibular joint disorder – a dysfunction which causes pain and tenderness in jaw joints, which can result in headaches, too.
TMJ headaches, caused by the temporomandibular joint in the jaw are a common experience with 1 in 10 people experiencing a problem with their jaw joint, according to healthcare providers Bupa.
Bupa also explained: “Women tend to develop jaw conditions more often than men. You can get these problems with your jaw at any age, but most people have them when they’re between 20 and 40.”
When it comes to TMJ, headaches are just a symptom of a bigger condition.
The most common symptoms of TMJ disorders are pain in the jaw and surrounding muscles. However, research in 2021 found that other symptoms can include:
These symptoms can show up on one or both sides of the face.
Bupa states that symptoms should get better within three to six months of onset. However, if your pain is ongoing or intolerable, make an appointment with your dentist.
In the meantime, Bupa suggests these self-help steps for management of the condition:
